Criminal possession of a weapon is the unlawful possession of a weapon by an individual. Many societies both past and present have placed restrictions on what forms of weaponry private citizens (and to a lesser extent police) are allowed to purchase, own, and carry in public. Such crimes are public order crimes and are considered mala prohibita, in that the possession of a weapon in and of itself is not evil. Rather, the potential for use in acts of unlawful violence creates a perceived need to control them. Some restrictions are strict liability, whereas others require some element of intent to use the weapon for an illegal purpose. Some regulations allow a citizen to obtain a permit or other authorization to possess the weapon under certain circumstances. Lawful uses of weapons by civilians commonly include hunting, sport, collection and self-defense. Types Criminal possession of a weapon generally falls into one of several categories: Simple possession - The strictest of standards, some weapons are prohibited from any form of private ownership at all, even if kept in one's dwelling under secure conditions (such as a safe). Typically this covers military devices, such as bombs, artillery, machine guns, nuclear devices and chemical weapons. However, this may also include possession of otherwise-legal weapons by a person who is prohibited by law or court-order from possessing them (reasons include prior criminal convictions, conditions of probation or parole, and court-documented mental illness). Carry of a concealed weapon - A restriction on carrying of certain weapons on one's person in such a manner that it is hidden from view of others. This can sometimes include somewhere in the same vehicle or close to one's immediate surroundings where the weapon is easily reachable. Carry in plain sight - The opposite of concealed carry, some jurisdictions make it a crime to carry certain weapons in plain view of others. Reasons may be to prevent intimidation or menacing; to create a friendlier-looking population by removing visual symbols of violence; or to intimidate/control a segment of the population known for the carry of certain weapons (such as the samurai caste during the Meiji era). Carry on or about the person - A combination of the above, this type of restriction makes it illegal to carry the weapon at all, whether concealed or not. This may or may not include the person's own land or place of business. Strict liability vs.